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De Leijen Nature Reserve
De Leijen Nature Reserve
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The liberation of Friesland
The liberation of Friesland
By 18 April, the whole province of Friesland had been liberated, except for the Wadden Islands. Compared to other provinces, there was little fighting in Friesland. Overall, the few thousand German troops who had been unable to escape from Friesland were defeated by the Canadians relatively quickly.
The commander of the Royal Canadian Dragoons, Lieutenant Colonel Landell, praised the actions of the resistance by stating that "Friesland liberated herself". While that may be a bit of an exaggeration, the actions of the Frisian resistance undoubtedly accelerated the liberation. And reduced the number of casualties on the Allied side.
At least 31 resistance fighters lost their lives in confrontations with German troops and their Dutch accomplices. At least eleven Canadians and one Frenchman were killed on the Allied side. Dozens of civilian victims were also killed in the fighting and shelling. The number of casualties on the German side is not known, but it is believed that the number ran into hundreds. With 320 destroyed and 4000 damaged homes and 80 destroyed bridges, Friesland was materially the least damaged province of the Netherlands.
Many German soldiers fled towards the western part of the country. The retreating German troops gathered mostly in Harlingen, Makkum and Lemmer. From there, they tried to get away by boat across the IJsselmeer or via the Afsluitdijk to North Holland. The Wadden Islands also became a refuge for collaborators and German soldiers. Here, liberation was longer in coming.
On the island of Terschelling, the last German troops were disarmed by a British artillery regiment on 29 May. Two days later, the British crossed from Terschelling to Vlieland, and the liberation of that island was also a fact. Ameland was liberated on 3 June.
Personnel from the infamous Scholtenhuis, the SD headquarters in Groningen, had entrenched themselves on Schiermonnikoog. After their departure on 31 May, there was a celebration on the island, in spite of the six hundred members of the occupying troops who still were there. Only on 11 June did the last German soldiers leave Schiermonnikoog, and then the whole province of Friesland was free.
Most Canadian units that had liberated Friesland continued the battle in Groningen and North Germany after 18 April. Their war ended on 8 May 1945, when the surrender of all German armed forces became effective.
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Restaurant Herberg De Pater
Restaurant Herberg De Pater
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Sloepverhuur - Elfsteden Recreatie (Johanna Hoeve)
Sloepverhuur - Elfsteden Recreatie (Johanna Hoeve)
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De Broekophâlder
De Broekophâlder
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Veerpont De Wynser Oerset (Wijns)
Veerpont De Wynser Oerset (Wijns)
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Voormalig klooster Sinaï
Voormalig klooster Sinaï
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Kweldergebied
Kweldergebied
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The bombing of Terherne lock
The bombing of Terherne lock
On 11 November 1944, pilots of the Royal Canadian Air Force, based at Welschap airfield near Eindhoven, were ordered to bomb the lock at Terherne in two groups. The reason for the bombardment of Terherne lock was to restrict (German) transport movements. The lock complex was situated on the main shipping route from Germany via Groningen to the Randstad, along which the Germans transported goods and military equipment.
After the railway strike in September had already disrupted rail transport considerably, actions against shipping traffic followed in the months thereafter. The southern part of the country may have been liberated, but fierce battles were still to be fought in the other parts.
Such was the case on that 11th November just after nine o'clock in the morning when the two groups of Hawker Typhoon fighter-bombers took off shortly after each other from Eindhoven for their mission. Around 10:00, the lock at Terherne was bombed from the north for the first time and then again around 10:30.
The consequences were huge for the people living on the lock. The wives of both lock keepers, a one-year-old baby and a German soldier were killed. Also, pilot John Gordon Fraser's aircraft was damaged to such extent that he had to make an emergency landing at St. Johannesga. Although the bombing resulted in the northern passageway being deactivated and no longer usable, the southern passageway remained open and could still be used.
Today, a boathouse for the State yacht of the province of Friesland has been built over the southern passage. A new building, that serves as a guest house for the province, was put up on the site of the lock keeper's house on the south side.
A monument has been erected on the northern pier in memory of those who perished at the lock. This monument was unveiled on 10 November 1985 by Hattum Hoekstra, son of 1st lock keeper Wiemer and Tietje Hoekstra. Since then, the commemoration of the dead in Terherne has always taken place at the old lock, and the children of primary school 'It Kampke' have adopted the monument.
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Oosterschar - Vogelkijkhut 'Skiere Goes'
Oosterschar - Vogelkijkhut 'Skiere Goes'
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Cornwerd - Kijkpunt Cornwerd
Cornwerd - Kijkpunt Cornwerd
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De Babbelaar
De Babbelaar
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JoHpie Kaarsenmakerij
JoHpie Kaarsenmakerij
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Oostersingel
Oostersingel
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Anne-Famkes Pleats
Anne-Famkes Pleats
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Historisch Hotel Hurdegaryp
Historisch Hotel Hurdegaryp
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Surhuizumermieden noord - Uitkijktoren
Surhuizumermieden noord - Uitkijktoren
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Sint-Martinuskerk Ferwert
Sint-Martinuskerk Ferwert
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Snackbar Lunchroom De Passaazje
Snackbar Lunchroom De Passaazje
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Houwinksreed
Houwinksreed
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Dijktempel (dike temple) at Marrum
Dijktempel (dike temple) at Marrum
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Camping De Stjelp
Camping De Stjelp
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Nijeholtpade - Gerrit's Hutte - Vogelkijkhut
Nijeholtpade - Gerrit's Hutte - Vogelkijkhut
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Bêd en Brochje de Hollen
Bêd en Brochje de Hollen
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Veerpont Zonnepont De Oerhaal (Wartena)
Veerpont Zonnepont De Oerhaal (Wartena)
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Noard-Fryslân Bûtendyks - Uitkijkplateau
Noard-Fryslân Bûtendyks - Uitkijkplateau
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Zee van Tijd
Zee van Tijd
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Kaaskoperij Damwoude
Kaaskoperij Damwoude
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Friesland Holland Tourist Information & Travel Service
Friesland Holland Tourist Information & Travel Service
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It Noarderleech - Noard Fryslan Butendyks
It Noarderleech - Noard Fryslan Butendyks
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Gastenverblijf Lânlibben
Gastenverblijf Lânlibben
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Kerk Hegebeintum
Kerk Hegebeintum
